5 Best Gaming Headphones

We buy our own products and put them under the same testing methodology so that you can easily compare them. Unlike most websites, we do not get our products directly from the manufacturers, which means our units aren’t handpicked and actually represent what you would buy yourself. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results and we keep them until they are discontinued so we can continually go back and make sure our reviews are always accurate.

With the rising popularity of multiplayer games like Fortnite, Overwatch or the most recent Call of Duty, having a good gaming headset can sometimes make the difference between a clutch, well-coordinated last-minute victory and crushing defeat. A typical, wired headphone may give you good enough audio for gaming but may lack a compatible microphone and chat support to plan a winning strategy with your friends and teammates. The right gaming headset should work with most of your consoles, be comfortable enough that you don’t have to take them off mid-game and ideally be wireless with enough range so that you can comfortably game from your couch.

We’ve tested 277 headphones so far and here are our best picks for gaming in 2018.

The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are one of the best and most versatile gaming headphones that we’ve tested. They’re a well-built headset with soft breathable pads, ergonomic controls and a retractable mic. They also come with a 3.5mm audio cable so you can use them with your phone outdoors.con

The included USB transmitter dongle provides great wireless range, audio and chat support for your PS4 and PC. You can also use their audio cable and plug them into your console’s controller and have audio and mic support for the Xbox One that way. They’re also an excellent choice for watching movies or listening to music wirelessly when at home, since the transmitter has an input for a regular AUX cable that will work with your TV, receiver and most audio devices. It also has very little latency (20ms).

Unfortunately, the lack of wireless voice chat support for Xbox One will be not ideal for all gamers and their headband design can also be a bit tight on some heads.

If you’re looking for a VR-like experience to fully immerse you in your game, get the Audeze Mobius. They are good gaming headphones with unique features that set them apart from the competition. They offer a head tracking feature that with 3D, simulate a great soundstage, even if they are closed-back. However, we couldn’t measure that simulated soundstage accurately with our current test procedures.

The Mobius headset has a comfortable build and sounds great. The detachable boom microphone is amazing, and voices sound clear and detailed. The headphones also have lots of connection options which makes them versatile, even if their style might not best for outside use. However, we don’t suggest using Bluetooth to game since they have too much latency, but this shouldn’t be an issue when used wired.

Unfortunately, they don’t isolate much noise, and their design can feel plasticky. They also do not have the best support for consoles but on the upside, they’re a great choice if you game on PC and though plastic, their design is dense and solid enough to survive a few accidental drops. The Audeze Mobius is definitely a unique headset with cool gaming features and a spacious and well-balanced sound for critical listening.

If you’re looking for a comfortable headset with lots of controls and customizable profiles for each game you play, then the Logitech G933 will be a great choice. They have deep ear cups with decently breathable pads and a flashy gaming aesthetic that looks cool but might be a bit too bulky for some. On the upside, the cups have a ton of programmable buttons for on-the-fly adjustments which makes them a super convenient headset for the pro and casual gamer alike.

The G933 are compatible with the Logitech Gaming software which is one of the most complete gaming applications. It offers a great EQ, surround sound effects, microphone, and volume levels, as well as swappable profiles with saved personal settings and an adjustable audio off timer you can set directly in the app. Their boom mic is also good with a natural, but slightly thin reproduction of speech and the headset can be connected to consoles via a ⅛ TRRS audio cable for audio and voice chat support, but the USB dongle will only work wirelessly with a PC or PS4.

Unfortunately, they do not have the best battery life and take a long time to charge at 4 hours. But on the other hand, you can still use them while they charge, and they also have very low latency (22ms) when wireless, which is great for gaming and watching videos.

If you’re looking for a sleek looking headset that you can wear outside on your way to work, while still being great for gaming, then get the HyperX Cloud II. They’re a simple and straightforward wired headset that is easy-to-use and compatible with any console, PC, or even your phone. They’re also very comfortable and offer a great value for your money if you don’t mind a wired design.

They have an above-average sound quality, with a good bass and a decently neutral mid-range. They also have a great microphone for voice chats and if you decide to use them outdoors, you can detach the mic and make them more like casual over-ears. Their build quality is great, and they are easily one of the most comfortable gaming headphones we’ve tested.

Unfortunately, they do not have a lot of features or customization options. They also do not benefit from the freedom of wireless design which some may prefer when gaming on consoles. Overall, HyperX keep it simple with the Cloud II and focus on an amazing price to performance ratio rather than features.

If you’re looking for great budget gaming headphones, get the Corsair HS60. They have a surprisingly good build quality and a comfortable design for their low price point. They also have a good, decently well-balanced sound and an above average boom mic for gaming that reproduces speech quite clearly even if it can be a tad too bright for some.

The HS60 are also compatible with the Corsair Utility Engine (now iCUE) that offers an EQ, mic controls and a surround sound option. It won’t have some of the more advanced features and settings offered by the pricier models on this list, but it’s a welcomed level of customization for a simple wired headset. The wired connection also makes them versatile enough to use the headsets with your consoles, phone or PC (with the USB Adapter) all without any latency issues.